Low-PIM Angle Adapters and Cable Hanger Assemblies

ABSTRACT

A low passive intermodulation (PIM) angle adapter fabricated from or coated with a polymeric material supports one or more cable support hangers. The low-PIM angle adapter includes a box frame integrally formed with a slot frame, where the box frame supports one or more cable hangers and the slot frame slides onto a support structure to position the angle adapter on the support structure. The low-PIM angle adapter also includes one or more cable tie slots the receive cable ties that secure the angle adapter to the support structure. Various embodiments include differently shaped box frames designed to support one or more cable hangers, such hex, rectangular, trapezoidal and square box frames. The box frames may include multiple receptacles for receiving multiple cable hangers. Cable blocks and brackets also may be used to connect multiple cable hangers to a single receptacle of the low-PIM angle adapter.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. Nos. 62/837,365 filed 23 Apr. 2019, 62/930,712 filed 5 Nov. 2019,and 62/930,734 filed 5 Nov. 2019, which are incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to cellular communication systems and,more particularly, to polymeric angle adapters and associated cablerhanger assemblies used to reduce passive intermodulation interference(PIM) at cellular telephone base station antenna sites.

BACKGROUND

An essential element of modern mobile communications systems is the“cell site.” The cell site includes one or more cellular base stationantennas aimed at a desired geographical area of coverage with coaxialcables connecting the antennas to base station radio equipment. Theperformance of a cell site is often limited by passive intermodulation(“PIM”) interference. PIM interference occurs when the high-powerdownlink signals (the “main beam”) transmitted by the base stationantenna mixes at passive, non-linear junctions in the RF path, creatingnew signals. When these new signals (intermodulation products) fall inan antenna's uplink band, they act as interference and reduce thesignal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (“SINR”). As the SINR reduces,the geographic coverage of the cell site reduces and the data capacityof that cell site reduces.

It is well documented that loosely touching metal-to-metal surfaces canbehave in a non-linear fashion and become sources of passiveintermodulation when illuminated by high power RF signals. Recently, ithas been determined that loose metal-to-metal connections located behindbase station antennas are also able to generate high levels of passiveintermodulation. Even though this region is well outside the main beamof the antenna, enough RF energy is present in this region to excitenon-linear objects and generate PIM.

Metal brackets and associated hardware for supporting RF, optical,ground and remote electrical tilt (“RET”) cable are common sources ofloose metal-to-metal contact found in the region behind and close tobase station antennas. These cables are secured by cable hangers spacedalong their length to the antenna support frame to prevent the cablesfrom moving in the wind. Antenna support frames are often constructedusing structural steel angle supports and metal cable hangers used tosecure the cables to the frame. For example, FIG. 1 is a side view andFIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional cable hanger assembly 10,which includes a metal cable hanger 11 that supports a cable 12 that isrouted through the cable hanger. The cable hanger 11 is connected to a“U” shaped metal angle adapter 13, which is connected to a metal supportstructure 14, such as an angle support or flange forming part of theantenna support frame. The “U” shaped angle adapter 13 includes areceptacle hole, typically 0.75-inch in diameter, that accepts thesnap-in type cable hanger 11. The angle adapter 13 is typicallyfabricated from stainless-steel with serrated teeth 15 on one side and athreaded hole on the opposite side. A set screw 16 is installed into thethreaded hole and, when tightened, drives the end of the set screw intoone side of the support structure 14. This in turn drives the serratedteeth into the opposite side of the support structure 14.

Multiple sources of passive intermodulation are present with thisconventional cable hanger assembly 10. First, the set screw 16 used tosecure the angle adapter 13 to the support structure 14 may not betightened sufficiently or loosen over time, which can cause PIM to begenerated at the loose metal-to-metal contact between the angle adapterand a support structure. Second, even if tightened sufficiently, thereis potential for PIM generation at the corner of the U″ shaped angleadapter 13 and where the serrated teeth 15 touch the support structure14. Third, the angle adapter 13 and the set screw are usuallyconstructed from stainless-steel while the support structure 14 isusually constructed from galvanized steel. Galvanized steel andstainless steel are dissimilar metals at opposite ends of the galvanicseries. This causes small pockets of corrosion to form over time wherethe serrated teeth 15 of the angle adapter 13 and the end of the setscrew 16 dig into the galvanized steel support structure 14, whichcreates another potential source of PIM generation.

A reliable, inexpensive, and easy to deploy cable support solution istherefore needed to secure coaxial cables to galvanized steel supportstructures in close proximity to base station antennas to mitigate PIMgeneration.

SUMMARY

The needs described above are met by low-PIM angle adapters andassociated cable hanger assemblies formed from or coated with apolymeric material used to secure coaxial cables in the potential PIMreactive zone behind cellular base station antennas. In an illustrativeembodiment, a low-PIM cable angle adapter includes a box frameintegrally formed with a slot frame fabricated from or coated with apolymeric material. The box frame defines one or more receptacles forsupporting one or more cable hangers, and the slot frame defines one ormore slots for positioning the angle adapter on a support structure. Theangle adapter also includes one or more slots for receiving one or morecable ties for securing the angle adapter to the support structure.

In an illustrative embodiment, the low-PIM angle adapter includes a rodreceptacle leading to an internal hex socket for capturing a hex bolthead or nut engaged with the rod. An external hex profile for receivinga wrench facilitates tightening a compression nut threaded on the rodwith a portion of the angle adapter secured between the compression nutand the bolt or nut captured in the hex socket. A representative cablehanger assembly includes a polymeric cable block type cable hangersecured on the rod, which may be adjacent to the angle adapter or spacedapart on the rod from the angle adapter. Another embodiment includes abracket secured to the rod and one or more cable hangers carried by thebracket. In additional embodiments, the box frame includes a rectangularbox frame defining one receptacle for receiving one snap-in style cablehanger, a trapezoidal box frame defining three receptacles for receivingrespective snap-in style cable hangers, a square box frame definingthree receptacles for receiving respective snap-in style cable hangers.Cable blocks and brackets also may be used to connect multiple cablehangers to a single receptacle of the low-PIM angle adapter.

It will be understood that specific embodiments may include a variety offeatures in different combinations, as desired by different users. Thespecific techniques and systems for implementing particular embodimentsof the invention and accomplishing the associated advantages will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments andthe appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The numerous advantages of the embodiments of the invention may bebetter understood with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional cable hanger assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conventional cable hanger assemblyinstalled on a support structure at a cellular telephone base stationantenna site.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a low-PIM angle adapter with a hex boxframe according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the low-PIM angle adapter with the hex boxframe.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the low-PIM angle adapter with the hex boxframe.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a first type of low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the hex box frame.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a second type of low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the hex box frame.

FIG. 7A is an end view of a low-PIM cable hanger assembly including alow-PIM angle adapter with a rectangular box frame according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the rectangular box frame.

FIG. 8A is an end view of a low-PIM cable hanger assembly including alow-PIM angle adapter with a trapezoidal box frame according to yetanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the trapezoidal box frame.

FIG. 9 is an perspective view of a low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding a low-PIM angle adapter with a square box frame according toyet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10A is a side view of the low-PIM angle adapter with the square boxframe.

FIG. 10B is an end view of the low-PIM angle adapter with the square boxframe.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the square box frame.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the square box frame.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a low-PIM angle adapter with adual-rod box frame according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13B is a front view of the low-PIM angle adapter with the dual-rodbox frame.

FIG. 13C is a side view of the low-PIM angle adapter with the dual-rodbox frame.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a first low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the dual-rod box frame.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a second low-PIM cable hanger assemblyincluding the low-PIM angle adapter with the dual-rod box frame.

FIG. 15A is a conceptual side view of a low-PIM cable hanger assemblypositioned within a potential PIM reactive zone of a base stationantenna.

FIG. 15B is a conceptual top view of the low-PIM cable hanger assemblypositioned within a potential PIM reactive zone of a base stationantenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in low passiveintermodulation (PIM) angle adapters and associated cable hangerassemblies that support one or more cable hangers. The innovative angleadapters and cable hanger assemblies improve upon the conventional cablehanger assemblies by eliminating the known sources of PIM interferencecreated by cable hanger assemblies in the potential PIM reactive zonesnear cellular base station antennas. Embodiments of the invention may beutilized in concert with other techniques to reduce PIM at cellular basestations, such as the low-PIM cable bracket described in commonly ownedU.S. Patent Pub. No. 20190390797, the low-PIM stackable cable hangerdescribed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20200099212, thelow-PIM cable hanger spacer described in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/591,703, the low-PIM universal mount describedin commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/599,647, and thelow-PIM cable rail system described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/780,051, which are incorporated by reference.

While the low-PIM angle adapters and cable hanger assemblies can beutilized in any desired location, they are effective for mitigating PIMinterference when deployed in the potential PIM reactive zone near abase station antenna. Although PIM generation is a function of theantenna broadcast frequency and power, equipment specifications may usea standard distance, such as 10-feet from the antenna, to establish thepotential PIM reactive zone where PIM mitigation is considered to beappropriate. In other cases, the potential PIM reactive zone may bedefined relative to the wavelength of the antenna's operationalfrequency, such as within one or two wavelengths of the downlink (mainbeam) frequency channel of the antenna.

The cables extending from the base station antenna and associatedequipment are typically routed and secured to mounting structures in thepotential PIM reactive zone. Even though the cables are typically routedbehind the main beam of the antenna, enough RF energy can be present inthis region to excite non-linear objects and generate PIM interference.For this reason, all directions from the base station within a standarddistance, such as 10-feet from the antenna, may be considered to bewithin the potential PIM reactive zone. In conventional cell sites,metal cable hangers and associated hardware for supporting RF, optical,ground and remote electrical tilt (“RET”) cables located in thepotential PIM reactive zone behind base station antennas are commonlocations of loose metal-to-metal contact that can generate significantlevels of PIM.

Generally described, the innovative angle adapters and cable hangerassemblies exhibit low-PIM performance because the angle adapter is madefrom or coated with a polymeric material that eliminates points ofmetal-to-metal contact that can generate PIM. The low-PIM angle adapterincludes a box frame integrally formed with a slot frame, where the boxframe supports one or more cable support hangers and the slot frameslides onto a support structure to position the angle adapter on asupport structure, such as a side of a metal angle support. The low-PIMangle adapter also includes one or more cable tie slots that receivecable ties to secure the angle adapter to the support structure. Variousembodiments include differently shaped box frames designed to supportone or more cable hangers, such as hex, rectangular, trapezoidal andsquare box frames. Additional embodiments include different types ofcable hangers, such as cable blocks and snap-in style cable hangers. Thebox frames may include multiple receptacles for receiving multiple cablehangers. Cable blocks and brackets also may be used to connect multiplecable hangers to a single receptacle of the low-PIM angle adapter.

A representative embodiment includes a low-PIM angle adapter fabricatedfrom UV stable, injection molded, glass filled nylon to eliminatemetal-to-metal contact between metal support structures and metal cablehangers. The low-PIM angle adapter includes a slot frame that fitstightly over a typical 0.25-inch thick angle support or other supportstructure to position the angle adapter on the support structure andprevent the adapter from rotating when the attachment hardware istightened. The low-PIM angle adapter may include molded-in features,such as cable tie slots, to position and locate one or more heavy duty,weather resistant plastic cable ties to firmly secure the angle adapterto the support structure.

In one embodiment, the low-PIM angle adapter includes a hex receptaclethat captures a hex nut or bolt head, which is connected to the threadedrod that connects the angle adapter to a cable hanger, such asmulti-cable block or a bracket that carries multiple snap-in type cablehangers. In another embodiment, the low-PIM angle adapter includes a boxframe with one or more molded-in receptacle holes to accept snap-in typecable hangers. For example, a rectangular box frame may include onereceptacle, a trapezoidal box frame may include three receptacles, and asquare box frame may include three or more receptacles. In theillustrative embodiments described below, the angle adapters are unitarypolymeric structures with box frames integrally formed with slot frames.The angle adapters may be fabricated, for example, from injectionmolded, glass filled nylon. The angle adapters may alternatively befabricated from other suitable polymeric materials, such as ASB(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), Acetal or POM (polyoxymethylen), PC(polycarbonate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and the like. Alternatively,a metal adapter body may be coated with a suitable polymeric material,such as PVC, natural or synthetic rubber, urethane, acrylic, epoxy, orthe like. The angle adapters are also amenable to other suitablefabrication processes, such as compression molding, 3D printing, and soforth.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 3B is a bottom view of a low-PIMangle adapter 30 that includes a hexagonal box frame 31 with an externalhex profile 32 integrally formed with a slot frame 33. The box frame 31also includes a rod receptacle 34 that leads to an internal hex socket35 shaped to capture a hex bolt head or nut connected to a threaded rodthat extends through the rod receptacle 34. The external hex profile 32allows a technician to stabilize the angle adapter 30 with a wrench whentightening a compression nut threaded on the rod with a portion of theangle adapter secured between the compression nut and the hex bolt ornut captured in the hex socket 35. The slot frame 33 defines a pair ofslots 36 a-b for positioning the angle adapter 30 on a supportstructure, such as an angle support or other flange. In addition, a pairof cable tie slots 37 a-b located between the hexagonal box frame 31 andthe slot frame 33 are configured to receive a pair of heavy duty cableties that are used to firmly secure the angle adapter 30 to the supportstructure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the low-PIM angle adapter 30 along with a pairof heavy duty cable ties 42 a-b extending through the cable tie slots 37a-b firmly securing the angle adapter 30 to the support structure 40,such as a side of the angle support or other flange. FIG. 5 is an endview of a first type of low-PIM cable hanger assembly 50 including thelow-PIM angle adapter 30 engaged with the support structure 40. Athreaded rod 51 extends from a hex bolt head or nut captured in theinternal hex socket of the angle adapter 30, which is secured to theangle adapter by a compression nut 52. A multi-cable polymeric cableblock type cable hanger 53 is also secured the threaded rod between abacker nut 54 and an end nut 55. Although the cable block style cablehanger 53 is secured on the rod spaced apart from the angle adapter 30in this example, it may be positioned adjacent to the angle adapter ifdesired. In addition, multiple cable blocks and other types of cablehangers and hanger brackets be can be attached to the same threaded rodin this manner. For example, FIG. 6 is an end view of a second type oflow-PIM cable hanger assembly 60, which includes a shorter threaded rod61 that secures the angle adapter to a bracket 62 that defines a numberof receptacle holes that each carry a respective snap-in type low-PIMcable hanger 63 a-d. Since the bracket 62 is metal in this example, thelow-PIM cable hangers 63 a-d include polymeric sides and snap-in feet asdescribed in. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20200099212. Alternatively thebracket 62 may be polymeric or low-PIM polymeric cable hanger spacersmay utilized as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/591,703.

FIG. 7A is an end view and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a low-PIMcable hanger assembly 70, which includes an alternative low-PIM angleadapter 71 with a rectangular box frame 72 integrally formed with a slotframe 73. In this example, the rectangular box frame 72 includes asingle receptacle hole that receives a snap-in type cable hanger 74.Since the box frame 72 is polymeric in this example, the cable hanger 74may be metal. The slot frame 73 defines a slot 75 for positioning theangle adapter 71 on a support structure 76, in this example an anglesupport. The angle adapter 71 also includes a pair of cable tie slots 77a-b receiving heavy duty cable ties 78 a-b securing the angle adapter tothe support structure 76. The slot frame 73 typically includes a secondpair of cable tie slots on the other side of the slot frame so that apair of cable ties can be used to firmly secure the angle adapter 71 tothe support structure.

FIG. 8A is an end view and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a low-PIMcable hanger assembly 80, which includes an alternative low-PIM angleadapter 81 with a trapezoidal box frame 82 integrally formed with a slotframe 83. In this example, the trapezoidal box frame 82 includes threeupper faces that each define a receptacle hole that receives arespective one of the snap-in type cable hangers 84 a-c. Since the boxframe 82 is polymeric in this example, the cable hangers 84 a-c may bemetal. The slot frame 83 defines a slot 85 for positioning the angleadapter 81 on the support structure 86, in this example an anglesupport. The angle adapter 81 also includes a pair of cable tie slots 87a-b receiving heavy duty cable ties 88 a-b securing the angle adapter 81to the support structure 86.

FIG. 9 is an perspective view of low-PIM cable hanger assembly 90, whichincludes an alternative low-PIM angle adapter 91 with a square box frame92 integrally formed with a slot frame 93. FIG. 10A shows a side viewand FIG. 10B shows an end view of the low-PIM angle adapter 91. In thisexample, the square box frame 92 includes three upper faces that eachdefine a respective one of the receptacle holes 94 a-c, which are eachconfigured to receive a snap-in type cable hanger. The slot frame 93defines a slot 95 for positioning the angle adapter 91 on a supportstructure, such as an angle support or other flange. Since the box frame92 is polymeric in this example, the cable hangers may be metal. In thisembodiment, a bottom side of the square box frame defines a pair ofcable tie slots 96 a-b that each receive a respective one of the cableties 97 a-b firmly securing the the angle adapter 91 on the supportstructure 40. In alternative embodiments, the square box frame 92 may beenlarged or elongated into a rectangular shape to include receptacleholes for receiving additional cable hangers.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a low-PIM cable hanger assembly 110including the low-PIM angle adapter 91 with a square box frame. Thisview shows a metal cable hanger 74 snapped into a receptacle hole of thesquare box frame 92 of the angle adapter 91 supporting a cable 111routed through the cable hanger. The polymeric angle adapter 91 avoidsmetal-to-metal contact between the metal cable hanger 74 and the metalsupport structure 40. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the low-PIM angleadapter 91 with cable hangers 74 a-c received in respective receptacleholes of the square box frame 92 of the angle adapter 91.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view, FIG. 13B is a front view, and FIG. 13Cis a side view of a low-PIM angle adapter 130 with a dual-rod box frame132 and a slot frame 133 defining a slot 134 for receiving a supportstructure, such as an angle support, flange, frame or other suitablestructure. The dual-rod box frame 132 includes an inline receptacle 135(first receptacle) for receiving a rod inline with the slot 134 (firstrod), as well as a transverse receptacle 136 (second receptacle) forreceiving a rod transverse to the slot 134 (second rod). Each rod can beconnected to single or multiple cable hangers. The dual-rod box frame132 also includes a pair of cable tie slots 137 a-b for receivingheavy-duty cable ties 142 a and 142 b for securing the angle adapter 130to the support structure 40 as shown in FIGS. 14A-14B,

For example, FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a first low-PIM cablehanger assembly 140 including the low-PIM angle adapter 130 with aninline rod 141 connected to the inline receptacle 135. The inline rod141, in turn, is connected to a cable block 142 a, in this example a6-cable block for supporting cables extending through the blocktransverse to the inline rod 141, which orients the cables transverse tothe slot 134. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly 140 also includes cableties 142 a-b attaching the low-PIM angle adapter 130 to the supportstructure 40, in this example an angle support. As another example, FIG.14B is a perspective view of a second low-PIM cable hanger assembly 145including the low-PIM angle adapter 130 with a transverse rod 146connected to the transverse receptacle 136. The transverse rod 146, inturn, is connected to two cable blocks 142 b and 142 c on opposing endsof the transverse rod. In this example, the cable blocks 142 b and 142 care each 4-cable blocks for supporting cables extending through theblock transverse to the transverse rod 146, which orients the cablesinline with the slot 134.

FIG. 15A is a conceptual side view and FIG. 15B is a conceptual top viewof a representative base station antenna site 150 that includes a basestation antenna 151 supported by a support structure 152. To brieflyrecap the problem to be solved, the antenna 151 directionally broadcastshigher-power downlink communication signals away from the antenna(generally referred to as the “main beam” of the antenna) within adownlink frequency channel 153 to registered mobile communicationdevices within the communication reach of the antenna. The antenna 151also receives lower-power uplink communication signals from theregistered mobile communication devices within a separate uplinkfrequency channel 154 allowing for duplex communications, such as mobiletelephone conversations, between the antenna 151 and the registeredmobile communication devices within the communication reach of theantenna. Passive intermodulation (“PIM”) interference occurs when thedownlink signals within the downlink frequency channel 153 mix atnonlinear junctions near the antenna 151 to create noise within theuplink frequency channel 154 received by the antenna. The PIMinterference decreases the signal-to-interference plus-noise ratio(“SINR”) of the uplink channel of the antenna 151, which reduces thecommunication quality and information carrying capacity (bandwidth) ofthe uplink frequency channel.

It is well documented that loosely touching metal-to-metal surfaces canbehave in a non-linear fashion and become sources of PIM interferencewhen illuminated by high power RF signals. For this reasons, the coaxialcables and other components associated with operation of the antenna arelocated well outside and behind the main beam of the antenna. It hasrecently been determined, however, that loose metal-to-metal connectionslocated behind a base station antenna can generate high levels ofpassive intermodulation. Even though this region is well outside themain beam of the antenna, enough RF energy can be present in this regionto excite non-linear objects and generate PIM interference. Metalbrackets and associated hardware for supporting RF, optical, ground andremote electrical tilt (“RET”) cables are common sources of loosemetal-to-metal contact found in this region behind and close to the basestation antenna. Embodiments of the present invention include a range oflow-PIM angle adapters and cable hanger assemblies designed to mitigatePIM interference by the equipment used to support the cables and othercomponents associated with the operation of the antenna, which aretypically located near the antenna outside the main beam of the antenna.

To develop standards for mitigating PIM, technicians may define apotential PIM reactive zone 155 in which PIM mitigation equipment shouldbe installed. FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate this practice for arepresentative example base station antenna site 150, in which arepresentative low-PIM cable hanger assembly 50 is attached to thesupport structure 152 within a potential PIM reactive zone 155 definedfor an antenna 151. In this example, the representative low-PIM cablehanger assembly 50 is located well outside the main beam 153 andphysically behind the antenna 151 on the opposite side of the supportstructure 152 from the antenna. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly 50 isnevertheless specified to provide PIM mitigation because it is stilllocated with the potential PIM reactive zone 155 defined for the antenna151. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly 50 is representative of thelow-PIM cable hanger assemblies generally, as all of the low-PIM cablehanger assemblies described in the disclosure, and variations of thesespecific examples, are intended for deployment as PIM mitigationmeasures in the potential PIM reactive zones of cellular base stationantennas.

While the low-PIM angle adapters and cable hanger assembly embodimentsof the present invention can be utilized in any desired location, theyare particularly effective for mitigating PIM interference when deployedin the potential PIM reactive zone 155 near the base station antenna151. Although PIM generation is a function of the antenna broadcastfrequency and power, technicians may use a standard distance, such as10-feet from the antenna 151, to establish the potential PIM reactivezone 155 where PIM mitigation is appropriate. As other options, thepotential PIM reactive zone 155 may be established to be a function ofthe antenna broadcast frequency, such as one or two wavelengths of themain beam frequency channel 153 of the antenna 151. Other factors, suchas the broadcast power of the antenna 151, the presence of reflectivesurfaces in the physical environment of the antenna, the width of theuplink channel, the use of electronic filtering, and other relevantfactors may also be taken into account when establishing the potentialPIM reactive zone for a particular antenna. For administrativesimplicity, however, the standard set for potential PIM reactive zone155 may ultimately be defined to be a set distance, such as 10-feet fromthe antenna.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter have been shownand described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat, based upon the teachings of this disclosure, changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the subject matterdescribed in this disclosure and its broader aspects and, therefore, theappended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes andmodifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subjectmatter described in this disclosure. Although particular embodiments ofthis disclosure have been illustrated, it is apparent that variousmodifications and embodiments of the disclosure may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such changes. The disclosureis defined by the following claims, which should be construed toencompass one or more structures or function of one or more of theillustrative embodiments described above, equivalents and obviousvariations. It will therefore be appreciated that the present inventionprovides significant improvements. The foregoing relates only to theexemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that numerouschanges may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A low-PIM angle adapter, comprising: a boxframe integrally formed with a slot frame fabricated from or coated witha polymeric material; wherein the box frame defines one or morereceptacles for supporting one or more cable hangers; wherein the slotframe defines one or more slots for positioning the angle adapter on asupport structure; further comprising one or more slots for receivingone or more cable ties for securing the angle adapter to the supportstructure.
 2. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 1, wherein the one ormore receptacles comprises a rod receptacle leading to an internal hexsocket for capturing a hex bolt head or nut engaged with a rod extendingthrough the rod receptacle.
 3. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 2,further comprising an external hex profile for receiving a wrench tofacilitate tightening a compression nut threaded on the rod with aportion of the angle adapter secured between the compression nut and thehex bolt or nut captured in the hex socket.
 4. The low-PIM angle adapterof claim 3, further comprising a cable block type cable hanger securedon the rod.
 5. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 4, wherein the cableblock type cable hanger is secured on the rod spaced apart from theangle adapter.
 6. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 2, furthercomprising a bracket secured to the rod and one or more cable hangerscarried by the bracket.
 7. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 1, whereinthe box frame comprises a rectangular box frame defining one receptaclefor receiving one snap-in style cable hanger.
 8. The low-PIM angleadapter of claim 1, wherein the box frame comprises a trapezoidal boxframe defining three receptacles, each for receiving a respectivesnap-in style cable hanger.
 9. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 1,wherein the box frame comprises a square box frame defining threereceptacles, each for receiving a respective snap-in style cable hanger.10. The low-PIM angle adapter of claim 1, further comprising a supportstructure positioning the low-PIM angle adapter within a potential PIMreactive zone of a cellular base station antenna.
 11. A low-PIM cablehanger assembly, comprising: an angle adapter comprising a box frameintegrally formed with a slot frame fabricated from or coated with apolymeric material, wherein the box frame defines one or morereceptacles, wherein the slot frame defines one or more support slots,and further comprising one or more cable tie slots; one or more metalcable hangers, each received in a respective receptacle of the angleadapter; a metal support structure engaged with the support slot; one ormore cable ties, each extending through a respective cable tie slot andsecuring the angle adapter to the metal support structure; wherein theangle adapter is positioned to prevent metal-to-metal contact betweenthe metal support structure and the one or more metal cable hangers tomitigate passive intermodulation (“PIM”) interference when the cablehanger assembly is positioned within a potential PIM reactive zone of acellular base station antenna.
 12. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the one or more receptacles comprises a rod receptacleleading to an internal hex socket capturing a hex bolt head or nutengaged with a rod extending through the rod receptacle.
 13. The low-PIMcable hanger assembly of claim 12, further comprising an external hexprofile for receiving a wrench to facilitate tightening a compressionnut threaded on the rod with a portion of the angle adapter securedbetween the compression nut and the hex bolt or nut captured in the hexsocket.
 14. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly of claim 13, furthercomprising a cable block type cable hanger secured on the rod.
 15. Thelow-PIM cable hanger assembly of claim 14, wherein the cable block typecable hanger is secured on the rod spaced apart from the angle adapter.16. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly of claim 12, further comprising abracket secured to the rod and one or more cable hangers carried by thebracket.
 17. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly of claim 11, wherein thebox frame comprises a rectangular box frame defining one receptacle forreceiving one snap-in style cable hanger.
 18. The low-PIM cable hangerassembly of claim 11, wherein the box frame comprises a trapezoidal boxframe defining three receptacles, each for receiving a respectivesnap-in style cable hanger.
 19. The low-PIM cable hanger assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the box frame comprises a square box frame definingthree receptacles, each for receiving a respective snap-in style cablehanger.
 20. A method for mitigating passive intermodulation (“PIM”)interference associated with a cellular base station antenna, comprisingproviding an angle adapter comprising a box frame integrally formed witha slot frame fabricated from or coated with a polymeric material,wherein the box frame defines one or more receptacles, wherein the slotframe defines one or more support slots, and further comprising one ormore cable tie slots; providing one or more metal cable hangers, eachreceived in a respective receptacle of the angle adapter; providing ametal support structure engaged with the support slot; providing one ormore cable ties, each extending through a respective cable tie slot andsecuring the angle adapter to the metal support structure; positioningthe angle adapter within a potential PIM reactive zone of the cellularbase station antenna to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the metalsupport structure and the one or more metal cable hangers to mitigatepassive intermodulation (“PIM”) interference.